The Red Sox have made an official announcement regarding their decision to not exercise their option for left-handed pitcher Joely Rodriguez for the 2024 season. Instead of picking up the $4.25 million option, the team will provide Rodriguez with a $500,000 buyout, allowing him to enter the free-agent market.
This decision comes as no surprise, despite the initial optimism when Boston signed Rodriguez to a $2 million deal last offseason. At that time, Rodriguez had a solid track record, having played for the Rangers, Yankees, and Mets in the previous three seasons, with a combined 4.28 ERA in 119 games. His 3.14 FIP and a respectable 25.5 percent strikeout rate hinted at his potential as a reliable middle reliever or even a more significant role, particularly from the left side. However, his 2023 season did not live up to those expectations.
Instead of realizing his potential, Rodriguez faced a season marred by injuries during his time with the Red Sox. He began the year on the injured list due to an oblique issue, followed by time off due to a shoulder strain and a recurring hip problem that ultimately ended his season. In total, Rodriguez only pitched 11 innings for the Red Sox in 2023, during which he allowed nine runs (eight earned) on 13 hits and six walks while striking out 14.
As Rodriguez enters the open market, there is a possibility that he could become a valuable bullpen asset for a team in 2024 if he can regain his health. However, given his challenging 2023 season and past results that were closer to average despite promising underlying metrics, it is likely that Rodriguez will need to accept a minor league deal as he heads into his age-32 season.
Regarding the Red Sox, their bullpen already has a solid foundation with Kenley Jansen and Chris Martin returning for late-inning duties, along with pitchers like Garrett Whitlock and Josh Winckowski. Nevertheless, with both Rodriguez and Richard Bleier becoming free agents, there is a reasonable expectation that the team may seek another left-handed relief option to complement Brennan Bernardino in the bullpen. The free-agent market offers several choices in this regard, including experienced setup pitchers like Matt Moore and Will Smith.
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